Eastern Shore's Sand and Surf Await You!
Framed by both ocean and bayside beaches, Virginia's Eastern Shore accommodates every beach vacationer. With the Bay's gentle waters, nature trails and more than 142 campsites as well as value hotels, this is ideal for families with small children. And for couples, boutique inns and B&Bs offer romantic and adventure getaway weekends.
Virginia's Eastern Shore — home to three notable beaches — is connected to the mainland via the 17.6-mile Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, which snakes between the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay.
Just north-west of the Bridge-Tunnel, Kiptopeke State Park features a 24-hour accessible fishing pier, picnic areas, hiking trails, playground and a guarded swimming beach. Known for its bird watching, Kiptopeke State Park presents the Eastern Shore Birding Festival every October.
Highlights:
Travel a few minutes north to the unique shops and beautiful bayside community of Cape Charles. See grand, historic B&Bs, golf and marinia resorts and a beach right downtown.
Sister islands of Assateague and Chincoteague are further north in Accomack County. A short causeway connects the two islands.
The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge provides environmental education and wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities such as fishing, hunting, wildlife observation, interpretation, and wildlife photography. Be on the lookout for its most famous residents — the wild ponies that gained worldwide fame in Misty of Chincoteague, a book written by Marguerite Henry in 1947.
Another highlight of the island is the Assateague Lighthouse, where you can learn about the "Legacy of the Lighthouse" program offered by the Refuge staff.
The most popular world-renown event at the Eastern Shore is the annual Pony Swim & Auction, where saltwater cowboys round up the wild ponies and swim across the causeway. They are then herded through town to the fairgrounds, where they are auctioned off the next day.